Systems and Methods for Dynamically Modifying Video Game Content Based on Non-Video Gaming Content Being Concurrently Experienced by a User

ABSTRACT

The disclosed systems and methods integrate gaming functionality with viewing a video program. Systems and methods for generating an interactive multimedia game for a user during the viewing of a video program by the user includes a host computer that generates the game in a context of the video program viewed on a first graphical user interface and recommends the video game to the user. The user may opt to engage with the video game on a second graphical user interface, which may be overlaid on the first graphical user interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/579,932, entitled “Systems and Methods forDynamically Modifying Video Game Content Based on Non-Video GamingContent Being Concurrently Experienced by a User” and filed on Jan. 20,2022, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/685,967, of the same title, filed on Nov. 15, 2019, andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,263,670 on Mar. 1, 2022, which relies on, forpriority, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/769,188, of thesame title and filed on Nov. 19, 2018, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present specification relates to systems and methods for dynamicallymodifying a gaming experience or gaming content based on non-videogaming content being concurrently experienced by a user, typically on amedia channel or platform different than the video game. Moreparticularly, the present specification relates to systems and methodsthat extracts data from a user's media experience, for example, watchinga video stream or broadcast video, and uses that data to dynamicallyrecommend a video game for the user to play, generate a video game forthe user to play, or modify content of the video game being played, asthe user experiences the video stream or broadcast video.

BACKGROUND

Watching video streams or broadcast video, while concurrently playingvideo games, is a popular activity. People watching videos typicallyexperience the viewed content in an inactive or passive manner, whilevideo game-playing tends to be more active and engaging.

Prior art approaches have focused on generating supplemental contentrelated to a television broadcast. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,505teaches the provision of additional audio and visual tracks assupplemental information synchronized to the action and events occurringin a video program, thereby enabling video program viewers to receivesynchronized supplemental information related to video programs and torequest and receive the synchronized supplemental information through acomputer data communication network interface. More specifically, the'505 patent discloses a viewer making a request for the supplementalinformation through a computer data communication network, providing theprogram identification and synchronization information integrated withthe video program being viewed, and receiving the requested supplementalinformation synchronized to the video program through the computer datacommunication network.

Similarly, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0321075 disclosesdynamically modifying media content to be presented to a group ofviewers using a plurality of content filters, each of which has multiplesub-components and is based on a member profile of a different member ofa media viewing audience. Media content is then modified, based on theplurality of content filters, to create a dynamically modified mediacontent for viewing by the media viewing audience.

However, notwithstanding the prior art, there has yet to be disclosedsystems and methods for actually integrating, effecting or modifyingvideo game play concurrent with a separate video stream or broadcastvideo. More specifically, there is a need to contextually integratevideo games being concurrently experienced with a video stream orbroadcast video being delivered via a separate media channel, therebytransforming a passive viewing experience into a more engaging andactive one. There is also a need to provide a richer, more fun, and moreintriguing viewer experience thus increasing viewer engagement andattracting viewers toward video gaming experiences that are configuredto offer a relevant and potentially rewarding outcomes in the context ofa video stream or broadcast video.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting in scope. Thepresent application discloses numerous embodiments.

The present specification discloses a computer implemented method forgenerating an interactive multimedia video game for a user during aviewing of a video program by the user, the method being implemented ina host computer having one or more physical processors programmed withcomputer program instruction that, when executed by the one or morephysical processors, cause the host computer to perform the method, themethod comprising: receiving metadata associated with the video program,wherein the video program is delivered to the user through a first mediachannel and viewed through a first graphical user interface;semantically analyzing the metadata to determine a context of the videoprogram; based on the context of the video program, recommending aninteractive multimedia game and generating a second graphical userinterface, via a second media channel, to display the recommendation,wherein the recommendation comprises a first option associated withengaging in the interactive multimedia game; receiving, at the hostcomputer, data indicative of whether the user selected the first option;and using the host computer, delivering, through the second mediachannel, the interactive multimedia game if the data is indicative ofthe user selecting the first option.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises identifying the interactive multimedia game based on thecontext of the program from a game database.

Optionally, the second graphical user interface is overlaid on a portionof or all of the first graphical user interface.

Optionally, the video program is at least one of a broadcast televisionor Internet-based streaming program.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises accessinga social network feed based on the metadata. Optionally, the computerimplemented method further comprises semantically analyzing the socialnetwork feed to determine the context of the video program.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a downloadableexecutable that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a scriptedadvertisement that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises, using thehost computer, directing the user to a game server if the user interactswith the second graphical user interface.

Optionally, the semantically analyzing the metadata to determine acontext of the video program comprises determining at least one event inthe video program. Optionally, determining the at least one eventcomprises determining one or more of identity of persons in the videoprogram, actions performed in the video program, and goals achieved inthe video program.

Optionally, the at least one of the receiving, the analyzing, and therecommending are executed manually on the host computer.

The present specification also discloses a computer implemented methodfor generating an interactive multimedia game for a user during aviewing of a video program by the user, the method being implemented ina host computer having one or more physical processors programmed withcomputer program instruction that, when executed by the one or morephysical processors, cause the host computer to perform the method, themethod comprising: receiving metadata associated with the video program,wherein the video program is delivered to the user through a first mediachannel and viewed through a first graphical user interface, wherein theprogram is viewed on a first graphical user interface; analyzing themetadata to determine a context of the video program; creating aninteractive multimedia game based on the context of the program; basedon the context of the video program, recommending the interactivemultimedia game and generating a second graphical user interface, via asecond media channel, to display the recommendation, wherein therecommendation comprises a first option associated with engaging in theinteractive multimedia game; receiving, at the host computer, dataindicative of whether the user selected the first option; using the hostcomputer, delivering, through the second media channel, the interactivemultimedia game if the data is indicative of the user selecting thefirst option.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises identifying the interactive multimedia game based on thecontext of the program from a game database.

Optionally, the second graphical user interface is overlaid on a portionof or all of the first graphical user interface.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises accessinga social network feed based on the metadata. Optionally, the computerimplemented method further comprises semantically analyzing the socialnetwork feed to determine the context of the video program.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a downloadableexecutable that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a scriptedadvertisement that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises, using thehost computer, directing the user to a game server if the user interactswith the second graphical user interface.

Optionally, analyzing the metadata to determine a context of the videoprogram comprises determining at least one event in the video program.Optionally, determining the at least one event comprises determining oneor more of identity of persons in the video program, actions performedin the video program, and goals achieved in the video program.

Optionally, the at least one of the receiving, the analyzing, thecreating, and the recommending are executed manually on the hostcomputer.

The present specification also discloses a computer implemented methodfor generating an interactive multimedia game for a user during aviewing of a video program by the user, the method being implemented ina host computer having one or more physical processors programmed withcomputer program instruction that, when executed by the one or morephysical processors, cause the host computer to perform the method, themethod comprising: receiving metadata associated with the video program,wherein the video program is delivered to the user through a first mediachannel and viewed through a first graphical user interface, wherein theprogram is viewed on a first graphical user interface; analyzing themetadata to determine a context of the video program; creating aninteractive multimedia game based on the context of the program; basedon the context of the video program, recommending the interactivemultimedia game and generating a second graphical user interface, via asecond media channel, to display the recommendation, wherein therecommendation comprises a first option associated with engaging in theinteractive multimedia game; receiving, at the host computer, dataindicative of whether the user selected the first option; using the hostcomputer, delivering, through the second media channel, the interactivemultimedia game if the data is indicative of the user selecting thefirst option; and using the host computer, modifying the interactivemultimedia game while the video program is playing if the data isindicative of the user selecting the first option.

Optionally, modifying the interactive multimedia game comprises addinggame elements to the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the game elements match the context of the video program.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises identifying the interactive multimedia game based on thecontext of the program from a game database.

Optionally, the second graphical user interface is overlaid on a portionof or all of the first graphical user interface.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises accessinga social network feed based on the metadata. Optionally, the computerimplemented method further comprises semantically analyzing the socialnetwork feed to determine the context of the video program.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a downloadableexecutable that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a scriptedadvertisement that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises, using thehost computer, directing the user to a game server if the user interactswith the second graphical user interface.

Optionally, analyzing the metadata to determine a context of the videoprogram comprises determining at least one event in the video program.Optionally, determining the at least one event comprises determining oneor more of identity of persons in the video program, actions performedin the video program, and goals achieved in the video program.

Optionally, the at least one of the receiving, the analyzing, thecreating, the recommending, and the modifying are executed manually onthe host computer.

The present specification also discloses a computer implemented methodfor generating an interactive multimedia video game being played by auser over a first graphical user interface during a broadcast of a videoprogram, the method being implemented in a host computer having one ormore physical processors programmed with computer program instructionthat, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause thehost computer to perform the method, the method comprising: analyzingthe video program to determine a context of, and one or more eventswithin, the video program; matching the context of the video programwith the interactive multimedia game being played by the user; based onthe occurrence of the one or more events in the video program,recommending an interactive multimedia game for each event andgenerating a second graphical user interface, via a media channel, todisplay the recommendation, wherein the recommendation comprises a firstoption associated with engaging in the interactive multimedia game;receiving, at the host computer, data indicative of whether the userselected the first option; and using the host computer, delivering,through the second media channel, the interactive multimedia game if thedata is indicative of the user selecting the first option.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises identifying the interactive multimedia game based on thecontext of the program from a game database.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises creating in real time the interactive multimedia game based onthe context of the program.

Optionally, recommending the interactive multimedia game furthercomprises generating rewards within the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the second graphical user interface is overlaid on a portionof or all of the first graphical user interface.

Optionally, the video program is at least one of a broadcast televisionor Internet-based streaming program.

Optionally, analyzing the video program comprises accessing a socialnetwork feed related to the video program.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a downloadableexecutable that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

The interactive multimedia game may be configured as a scriptedadvertisement that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia game.

Optionally, the computer implemented method further comprises, using thehost computer, directing the user to a game server if the user interactswith the second graphical user interface.

Optionally, the at least one of the analyzing, the matching, and therecommending are executed manually on the host computer.

The aforementioned and other embodiments of the present specificationshall be described in greater depth in the drawings and detaileddescription provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present specificationwill be further appreciated, as they become better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system environment for providing aninteractive game experience in the context of a video programconcurrently viewed by a user, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present specification;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for implementingan interactive multimedia game in the context of a program, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present specification;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for creating andimplementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of a program,in accordance with another embodiment of the present specification;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for modifyingand implementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of aprogram, in accordance with yet other embodiments of the presentspecification;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for implementingan interactive multimedia game in the context of a broadcast program, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present specification; and

FIG. 6 is an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) illustrating afirst screen and a second screen, in accordance with the variousembodiments of the present specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification is directed towards multiple embodiments. Thefollowing disclosure is provided in order to enable a person havingordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used inthis specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal ofany one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond themeaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined hereinmay be applied to other embodiments and applications without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology andphraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodimentsand should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is tobe accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives,modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating totechnical material that is known in the technical fields related to theinvention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarilyobscure the present invention.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words“comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarilylimited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. Itshould be noted herein that any feature or component described inassociation with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented withany other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.

As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one”or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “viewing, transmitting, receiving or transporting media contentover a separate media channel” shall mean, referring to the Open SystemsInterconnection Model of communications, the viewing, transmission,reception or transportation of media content, such as video, images, oraudio, over an application layer, presentation layer, session layer,transport layer, network layer, data link layer, or physical layer thatis different from the application layer, presentation layer, sessionlayer, transport layer, network layer, data link layer, or physicallayer being used to view, transmit, receive, or transport other media.Conversely, different media content are not being viewed, transmitted,received, or transported over different channels if they share the sameapplication layer, presentation layer, session layer, transport layer,network layer, data link layer, and physical layer.

The term “video program” shall mean any collection of video contentconfigured to be transmitted over any type of network, includingInternet, private ethernet, cellular, broadcast, or cable.

The term “video game” shall mean any collection of media contentconfigured to be presented through a user interface, receive userfeedback, and provide an interactive response in order to facilitatesome type of gaming objective.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system environment 100 for providing aninteractive game experience in the context of a video program beingconcurrently viewed by a user on a separate media channel, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present specification. The environment 100comprises at least one web server 105, at least one game server 110, andat least one client device 120 in data communication with each otherthrough a network 125. The servers 105, 110 can be any computing devicehaving one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storagemedia such as RAM, hard disk or any other optical or magnetic media. Theservers 105, 110 include a plurality of hardware, software, and/orfirmware components operating together to provide or implement aplurality of functional, operational or service-oriented modules. Insome embodiments, web server 105 and game server 110 are combined. Insome embodiments, web server 105 and game server 110 are separate. Insome embodiments, some modules and components of web server 105 and gameserver 110 are integrated.

In some embodiments, the game server 110 includes or is in communicationwith a game database system 130. The game database system 130 storesgame data associated with at least one interactive multimedia game, suchas a video game, that is delivered or provided to the client devices 120over the network 125 upon request or confirmation by a user. In someembodiments, the game server 110 may be implemented by a cloud ofcomputing platforms operating together as game servers 110. In someinstances, the game server 110 may be associated with a proprietarygameplay network system, such as, without limitation, SONY PLAYSTATIONNETWORK®, MICROSOFT XBOX LIVE®, and/or another type of gameplay networksystem. In this implementation, a given client device 120 may beassociated with a particular type of gaming console. Other types ofclient devices 120 using other types of gameplay networks may be used aswell.

In some embodiments, the web server 105 includes or is in communicationwith a video program broadcasting/streaming system 135.Broadcasting/streaming system 135 may include one or more of a cablesystem, a satellite system, an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service, anapp-based streaming system, an over the air broadcast system, or anyother system that may be a source of streaming content. In someembodiments, system 135 is a satellite system for broadcasting orstreaming programs for viewing by users of client devices 120. In someembodiments, users subscribe to video programs broadcast/streamed by thesystem 135 through the web server 130. In some embodiments, the system135 comprises a database that stores one or more programs that may berequested for viewing by the users of client devices 120, through theweb server 130 and over the network 125 via one or more GUIs (GraphicalUser Interfaces). In some embodiments, the web server 105 may beimplemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as webservers 105. In some embodiments, at least one or both of web server 105and game server 110 are in communication with one or more computingdevices (not shown) that enable a person or a group of persons tointerface with the programs executed by web server 105. The computingdevice may be configured on a handheld device, a personal computer (forexample, a desktop computer, a laptop computer), a smartphone, a tabletcomputing device, or any other type of computing device that may be usedto interface with and analyze content of broadcasting/streaming system135, web server 105, and game server 110.

The client device 120 may be configured as a handheld gaming device, apersonal computer (for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer),a smartphone, a tablet computing device, a smart television, a personalassistant device such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and/or otherdevice that can be used to interact with an instance of an interactivemultimedia challenge. The client device 120 may include one or moreprocessors, one or more storage devices, one or more peripherals, and/orother components. The processors may be programmed by one or morecomputer program instructions. The various computer program instructionsmay be stored in a storage device which may comprise random accessmemory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and/or other memory. The storagedevice may store the computer program instructions to be executed by theprocessor as well as data that may be manipulated by the processor. Thestorage device may comprise floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks,tapes, or other storage media for storing computer-executableinstructions and/or data.

The network 125 may include any one or more of, for instance, theInternet, an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local AreaNetwork), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN(Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellularcommunications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/orother network. In FIG. 1 , as well as in other figures, differentnumbers of entities than those depicted may be used. Furthermore,according to various implementations, the components described hereinmay be implemented in hardware and/or software employed for configuringthe hardware.

The various database systems 130, 135 described herein may be, include,or interface to, for example, an Oracle™ relational database soldcommercially by Oracle Corporation. Other databases, such as Informix™,DB2 (Database 2) or other data storage, including file-based, or queryformats, platforms, or resources such as OLAP (On Line AnalyticalProcessing), SQL (Structured Query Language), a SAN (storage areanetwork), Microsoft Access™ or others may also be used, incorporated, oraccessed. A blockchain may also be used. The database may comprise oneor more such databases that reside in one or more physical devices andin one or more physical locations. The database may store a plurality oftypes of data and/or files and associated data or file descriptions,administrative information, or any other data.

Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the various modulesdescribed hereinafter, used to implement the embodiments of the presentspecification, may be incorporated in one or more of web server 105,game server 110, and client device 120. In some embodiments, thesemodules may be distributed between web server 105 and game server 110.In some embodiments, these modules are incorporated in client device120. Therefore, while the following description is provided in contextof one type of arrangement of modules within environment 100, variousother implementations are envisioned.

In some embodiments, the at least one game server 110 provides orimplements a plurality of modules, such as, but not limited to, a firstgame module 112, a creation module 114, and a modification module 116.In some embodiments, the at least one web server 105 provides orimplements a plurality of modules, such as, but not limited to, aninterface module 142, an analysis module 144, a recommendation module146, and a second game module 148. It should be appreciated that theterm ‘module’ refers to computer logic utilized to provide a desiredfunctionality, service or operation. In various embodiments, a modulecan be implemented in hardware, firmware and/or software controlling ageneral purpose processor. In one embodiment, the modules areprogrammatic codes or computer executable instructions stored on astorage system, such as the game and business database systems 130, 135,and executed by a processor.

In embodiments, the interface module 142 is configured to interface withthe system 135, the client device 120, the game server 110, and thecomputing devices that may be used by one or more persons to execute thefunction of interface module 142. Interface module 142 is alsoconfigured to receive and process requests from the users to viewselected programs and interface between the video programbroadcast/streaming system 135 and the client devices 120 to display orpresent the selected programs to the users through at least onegraphical user interface (GUI). Additionally, interface module 142 isconfigured to send recommendations to the client devices 120 through oneor more GUIs to engage in interactive multimedia games based on aviewing history of the users, receive an acknowledgment from the clientdevices 120 that confirm whether the users have opted to engage, andpresent or display the recommended interactive multimedia game to theusers through the one or more GUIs. Further, the interface module 142 isconfigured to interface with the game server 110 to send informationabout contextual interactive multimedia games related to the programsbeing viewed by the user, and receive responses from the game server110. In some embodiments, responses from the game server 110 are in theform of the interactive multimedia game content that is presented ordisplayed to the respective users. In some embodiments, the responsesfrom the game server 110 comprise an acknowledgement that the respectiveclient devices 120 are being presented with the interactive multimediagames opted by their users. In this embodiment, the game server 110communicates with the client devices to present the interactivemultimedia games directly to the users.

In embodiments, the analysis module 144 is configured to analyze the oneor more programs viewed by the users at client devices 120. In variousembodiments, the analysis includes identification of a context of aprogram viewed by a user at a client device 120. In an embodiment, theanalysis module 144 receives, extracts, and processes metadataassociated with the video program to generate a contextual indication.For example, the analysis module 144 may be configured to 1) receivemetadata indicative of the type or name of the video program beingviewed by the user, 2) using the metadata, access a social media networkfeed, such as Twitter or Instagram, associated with the video program,3) semantically parse the social media network feed to identify anevent, such as the scoring of a goal, the death of a character, theintroduction of a character, the victory of a participant, the loss of aparticipant, the completion of some objective or any occurrence thathas, associated with it, a reaction on social media in excess of athreshold value, and 4) define the contextual indication based on anoutput of the semantic parsing. It should be appreciated that, for agiven type of program, there are a certain set of standard parameterswhich may be used to provide the context or contextual indication. Forexample, for a sporting or esporting event, the contextual indicationmay be provided by the following parameters: who is playing, score,score/lead change(s), the identity of the players currently playing ingame, the identity of the players not currently playing in game, keyactions that lead to changes in the score, key actions that lead topenalties or other disadvantages in the game, and/or the identity of theplayers who performed one or more such action(s).

Another example of the interaction could be watching the NBA finalsbetween the Lakers and Celtics. Users can play a basketball videogameduring the NBA finals broadcasts. If a particular player or team gets ablock, then gamers using that player or team might get a boost to theblocking stat for a predefined period of time.

It should further be appreciated that a reaction on social media inexcess of a threshold value may be measured in terms of engagement, suchas comments, retweets, likes, reposts, or other engagement-relatedmetrics that indicate that the event is of interest to an audience abovean average (or one or two standard deviations) engagement level for ageneric version of the same type of video program.

For example, if a user is watching the World Cup, the analysis module144 would extract, from the metadata, an indication that the videoprogram is the World Cup, would connect to a social network feedassociated with the World Cup, would monitor, and semantically parse,updates, such as the scoring of a goal, as they are announced on thesocial feed, and would generate a contextual indication (“goal event”)based on the data acquired from the metadata and/or social feed. Theevent could also be an action by a player that elicits a reaction insocial media in excess of a threshold value, such as an acrobatic saveby a goalie, which causes a level of comments, likes, reposts, retweets,tweets, or other indices of engagement that is above an average level ofengagement (or one or two standard deviations) for a generic version ofthe program.

In one embodiment, various functions of the analysis module 144 areexecuted by a person or a group of persons operating the one or morecomputing devices in communication with web server 105. The person(s),hereinafter also termed as operator(s), may perform the analysismanually. The operator(s) may also watch the one or more programs viewedby the users at client devices 120 and manually look for events. Othersources such as channels including, but not limited to ESPN or newssites can also be mined by the operator(s) in real time for events,irrespective of whether a user is watching them or not. The one or moreprograms themselves can also be mined using programmatic methods, suchas but not limited to basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that “reads”the score on a sports telecast or “listens” for particular events, wherethe “reading” and “listening” includes mining for contextual indicationfrom metadata. Some or a portion of the functions configured to beimplemented by modules 142 and 144 and described herein may, in someembodiments, be manually controlled by the operator(s). In someembodiments, all functions are manually controlled by the operator(s)through their computing device(s). In some embodiments, a combination ofmanual intervention by the operator(s) and AI is used to implement thefunctions of modules 142 and 144.

In embodiments, the metadata may include a name of the video program, agenre of the program, or a sporting event with names of theparticipating players or teams. For example, a contextual indicationdetermined by the analysis module 144 may include ‘sports’ if themetadata comprises data indicative of a sports program; ‘action’ if themetadata comprises data indicative of an action movie or series; ‘war’if the metadata comprises data indicative of a war movie or series;‘football’ if the metadata comprises data indicative of a football game;‘baseball’ if the metadata comprises data indicative of a World Seriesgame or playoff game; ‘racing’ if the metadata comprises data indicativeof the Indy500, or any other racing event.

In another embodiment, the analysis module 144 is configured to access asocial media stream of the video program being viewed in order to obtaina real-time update of the events that occur during the video programwhile the user is viewing it and translate the real-time update(s) beingposted on social media to one or more contextual indicators ordescriptors which may later be used to identify one or morecorresponding video games.

In embodiments, the analysis module 144 matches the contextual indicatorof the video program with metadata associated with one or more videogames accessible via the game server 110. In embodiments, therecommendation module 146 is configured to prompt the interface module142 to present or display to the user a recommendation to engage in aspecific interactive multimedia game matched by analysis module 144through a second GUI on either the client device 120 or another clientdevice, while the user is viewing a program on the client device 120through a first GUI. In some embodiments, the second GUI is in the formof picture-in-picture (PIP), displayed over the video program beingviewed by the user, on client device 120. In embodiments, therecommendation module recommends to the user to engage in one or moreinteractive multimedia games whose metadata semantically matches withthe generated contextual indicators of the video program. In somealternative embodiments, analysis module 144 may match one or moreinteractive multimedia games with the video program being viewed by theuser. In some embodiments, one or more operators manually match one ormore interactive multimedia games with the video program being viewed bythe user. In one exemplary embodiment, the operator(s) announce an eventthat the occurrence of certain events during a sports game, such asOverwatch League Finals, will trigger certain interactions for thoseplaying a matching game. At the occurrence of one of the announcedevents, interface module 142 is prompted to present or display to theuser an interactive recommendation to engage in a matching multimediagame. The recommendation comprises at least one textual, graphicaland/or multimedia teaser, punch line or commercial, at least one icon(such as, but not limited to, a ‘play’ or a ‘challenge accepted’ button)to solicit the user's response of acceptance of the recommendation. Inembodiments, the recommendation data includes one or more universalresource locators (URLs), pointing to one or more interactive multimediagames (stored in the game database system 130). In embodiments, theplurality of interactive multimedia game elements is accessible to therecommendation module 146.

In embodiments, the game module 148 is configured to generate therecommended interactive multimedia game if the recommendation isaccepted by the user. In some embodiments, the game module 148 may alsoinitiate a modification of the interactive multimedia game while theuser is engaged with the game, based on events in the program, where theevents are analyzed by the analysis module 144, in real time during theprogram, as described above. The game server 110 may accordingly respondto the initiation by the game module 148, by providing additionalcontent for the ongoing interactive multimedia game.

More specifically, the game server 110 may provide any one of thefollowing in respond to the determined context, as described above:increased or decreased power, points, health, treasure, or weapons inresponse to a player engaging in certain actions within the video game(where the actions relate to the determined context), making certainplayers available or not available within the video game (where theplayers relate to the determined context), providing more power, points,health, treasure, or weapons to one type of player within the video game(where the one type of player relates to the determined context), andmaking certain levels or gameplay scenarios available or not availablewithin the video game (where the levels or scenarios relate to thedetermined context).

For example, the game server 110 may provide additional power to theuser's players, if the user is playing as Spain in a soccer videogameand watching Spain on a live soccer match presented on the client device120 and if Spain scores a goal in the live match. In another example,the game server 110 may provide an in-game effect in the user's firstperson shooter (FPS) game when the user's local FPS team wins a match inan e-sports stream that the user is watching. In yet another example, areward or a point or a bonus may be generated for the user while theuser is playing a game in context of a program when a favorable eventoccurs in the program during game play. In one exemplary embodiment, ascore achieved by a user-favored team in a sport event triggers a changein coding for scoring for the user. Similar changes to the coding may betriggered based on other favorable events, such as for example scoresachieved by a team of the same geography as that of the user. In anotherexample, a user may be watching the NBA finals between the Lakers andCeltics and concurrently playing a basketball videogame during the NBAbroadcast. If a particular player gets a block or team scores a threepointer, then the user using that blocking player or playing as thatscoring team in the video game might receive, via the game server, aboost to the user's player's blocking stat for a predefined period oftime or to the user's players' three point shooting accuracy for apredefined period of time. It should be appreciated that all of theaforementioned changes may be subject to predefined, limited timeperiods that are shorter than the video game or live event itself.

In embodiments, examples of the interactive multimedia games include,and are not limited to, a puzzle, mini-video game, time-bound video game(that is, a video game that must be played and won within theconstraints of a predetermined time), sports games, board game,multiplayer online game, first person shooter game, arcade game, actionand adventure game, casino game, card game, strategy game, shootinggame, racing game, and simulations.

In embodiments, the game module 112 is configured to execute an instanceof an online interactive multimedia game which is displayed on theuser's client device 120 to facilitate interaction of the user with thegame. The game module 112 controls aspects of the game for the user andreceives and processes the user's interactions in the game. Stateddifferently, the game module 112 hosts and renders the online game forthe user, receives game data from the client device 120 and transmitsupdates to the client device 120 based on the received game data so thatthe game, on the client device 120, represents the most updated orcurrent status with reference to interactions of the user with the game.In some embodiments, game modules 112 and 148 are integrated in to asingle game module.

In embodiments, the online interactive multimedia game is rendered,displayed or presented to the user in any one of a first, second orthird interactive interface. The first interactive interface correspondsto the online interactive multimedia game being rendered, displayed orpresented to the user as an interface embedded within a webpage on theuser's client device 120. In such embodiments, the first interactiveinterface is implemented as a rich internet application using tools(that enable interactivity along with a functionality to communicate theuser's interactions and outcomes to the game server 110) such as, butnot limited to, Adobe Flash, WebGL, JavaScript, Java Applet, ActiveX,and Curl. The second interactive interface corresponds to the onlineinteractive multimedia game being rendered, displayed or presented tothe user as a video playback on a native media player on the clientdevice 120. In such embodiments, a plurality of client-side programinstructions (for example, using JavaScript) may be utilized to controland monitor the user's interaction with the game. The third interactiveinterface corresponds to the online interactive multimedia game beingrendered or presented to the user through a downloadable executable file(client-side component) which when activated (post-download on theclient device 120) operates as a gaming application that provides theuser with an interactive interface between the user and the game. Inembodiments, the gaming application is in data communication with thegame module 112 that controls the virtual environment of the gamingapplication and acquires the user interactions with the game renderedthrough the gaming application. It should be appreciated that the first,second and third interactive interfaces are exemplary and in no waylimiting.

The interactive interfaces, for rendering the online interactivemultimedia game, capture and process user inputs and interactions withinthe virtual environment and provide updates to the game server 110 overthe network 125. In embodiments, the game module 112 captures and stores(in the game database system 130) a plurality of performance or outcomedata generated as a result of the user's interactions with the virtualenvironment of the game. The performance data is communicated back oruploaded to the game server 110 in real-time or periodically (such asthrough batch updates) during a game and/or at an end of the game.

In embodiments, the creation module 114 is configured to create aninteractive multimedia game based on context of a program identified bythe analysis module 144. In an embodiment the interactive multimediagame is created in real time to reflect an experience, or moment, orevent, of the program being viewed by the user, and analyzed by theanalysis module 144. For example, when a World cup television programshows penalty kicks, a mini game of penalty kicks is created by thecreation module 114, to reflect the moment of penalty kicks, andpresented to the user through game module 112. In another example, thecreation module 114 creates for the user a FPS mini game that recreatesa combat scenario that the user may have just viewed in a movie.

In embodiments, the modification module 116 is configured to modifyinstances of the interactive multimedia game rendered to the user inreal time, based on real time events occurring in the program beingviewed by the user and identified by the analysis module 144. Themodification module 116 may respond to the event, by providingadditional content for the ongoing interactive multimedia game. Forexample, the modification module 116 provides power for the user'splayers if the user is playing as Spain in a soccer videogame andwatching Spain on a live soccer match presented on the client device 120when they score a goal in the live match. In another example, themodification module 116 provides an in-game effect in the user's FPSgame when the user's local FPS team wins a match in an e-sports streamthat the user is watching. In yet another example, a reward or a pointor a bonus is generated for the user while the user is playing a game incontext of a program when a favorable event occurs in the program duringgame play.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are flow charts illustrating exemplary processes forimplementing interactive multimedia games in the context of a programbeing viewed, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentspecification. The described processes may be accomplished using atleast one or a plurality of the system components described in detailabove and, in some implementations, various steps may be performed indifferent sequences and various steps may be omitted. Additional stepsmay be performed along with some or all of the steps shown in thedepicted flow chart. One or more steps may be performed simultaneously.Accordingly, the steps as illustrated (and described in greater detailbelow) are exemplary by nature and, as such, should not be viewed aslimiting.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process forimplementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of a videoprogram being viewed, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentspecification. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 2 , according toaspects of the present specification, at step 202, a user accesses (viathe network 125) a video program broadcast/streaming by system 135, andhosted and managed by the web server 105. In some embodiments, the useris a registered member and hence uniquely identifiable by way of a loginID. In embodiments, the web server 105 tracks the user's activitiesusing the user's login ID and/or the IP (Internet Protocol) address ofthe client device 120 that the user uses to connect to the web server105. In some embodiments, the video program may be accessed through asoftware application residing on a user's device, for example, anapplication running on a user's personal computer, mobile phone, orvideo game console.

At step 204, as a result of the user's request to view the videoprogram, the video program is presented to the user on a first GUIscreen. At step 206, the user is identified and the video program viewedby the user is analyzed by the analysis module 144, as described above.A context of the video program being viewed is identified. The contextis used to match a game from the game database 130 through the gameserver 110. In some embodiments, the context is identified frominformation about the video program. For example, in a sports programthe context may be identified from information such as, and not limitedto, who is playing, score, score/lead change, players currently in game,which players just performed an action, and any other event in the videoprogram. In another example, the user may be watching NBA finals betweenthe Lakers and Celtics. The matching game has a similar context as thevideo program. In this example, the context may be basketball game. Insubsequent steps, the user can play a basketball videogame during theNBA finals broadcasts. If a particular player or team gets a block, thengamers using that player or team might get a boost to the blocking statfor a predefined period of time. At step 208, based on the identifiedcontext, the user is presented with a recommendation to engage with aninteractive multimedia game that matches the video program context, overa second GUI screen. In some embodiments, the second GUI screen isoverlaid on the first GUI screen either in part or in whole, such thatthe user is able to view the second GUI screen concurrently with thevideo program, but via a separate media channel. In some embodiments,the recommendation is configured as an advertisement that, if activatedby the user (such as by clicking a ‘play’ button of the advertisement),allows the user to play the online interactive multimedia game. Inembodiments, examples of the interactive multimedia games include, andare not limited to, a puzzle, mini-video game, time-bound video game(that is, a video game that must be played and won within theconstraints of a predetermined time), board game, multiplayer onlinegame, first person shooter game, arcade game, action and adventure game,casino game, card game, strategy game, shooting game, sport game, andsimulation.

The user may opt to engage with the recommended game by clicking theoption to accept the recommendation. If the user decides to accept therecommendation then, the user clicks on a ‘play’ button on the secondGUI screen, so that the acceptance is received by the web server 105. Inresponse, at step 212, the user is connected to the game server 110 toenable the user to play the online interactive multimedia game over thesecond GUI screen. In embodiments, the online interactive multimediagame is presented to the user within an interactive interface on theuser's client device 120. As discussed earlier in this specification,the online interactive multimedia game may be rendered in any one offirst, second or third interactive interface formats, wherein in thefirst format the game may be presented in an interface embedded withinthe GUI screen, wherein in the second format the game is presented as amultimedia playback using a media player native or residing on theclient device 120 and wherein in the third format an executable programfile is downloaded on the client device 120 which when activatedpresents an interface of a client-side gaming application. In someembodiments, the interactive multimedia game is a mini-game that can beplayed within a stipulated predetermined time frame.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process forimplementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of a videoprogram being viewed, in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent specification. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 3 ,according to aspects of the present specification, at step 302, a useraccesses (via the network 125) a video program broadcast/streaming bysystem 135, and hosted and managed by the web server 105. In someembodiments, the user is a registered member and hence uniquelyidentifiable by way of a login ID. In embodiments, the web server 105tracks the user's activities using the user's login ID and/or the IP(Internet Protocol) address of the client device 120 that the user usesto connect to the web server 105. In some embodiments, the video programmay be accessed through a software application residing on a user'sdevice, for example, an application running on a user's personalcomputer, mobile phone, or video game console.

At step 304, as a result of the user's request to view the videoprogram, the video program is presented to the user on a first GUIscreen. At step 306, the user is identified and the video program viewedby the user is analyzed by the analysis module 144. A context of thevideo program being viewed is identified. In some embodiments, thecontext is identified from information about the video program. Forexample, in a sports program the context may be identified frominformation such as, and not limited to, who is playing, score,score/lead change, players currently in game, which players justperformed an action, and any other event in the video program. Inanother example, the user may be watching NBA finals between the Lakersand Celtics. In this example, the context may be basketball game. Insubsequent steps, the user can play a basketball videogame during theNBA finals broadcasts. If a particular player or team gets a block, thengamers using that player or team might get a boost to the blocking statfor a predefined period of time. At step 308, the context iscommunicated to the game server 110 and is used to create a game of amatching context. In embodiments, the creation module 114 creates theinteractive multimedia game based on context of the video programidentified by the analysis module 144. In an embodiment the interactivemultimedia game is created in real time to reflect an experience, ormoment, or event, of the video program being viewed by the user, andanalyzed by the analysis module 144. For example, when a World cup videoprogram shows penalty kicks, a mini game of penalty kicks is created bythe creation module 114, to reflect the moment of penalty kicks, andpresented to the user through game module 112. In another example, thecreation module 114 creates for the user a FPS mini game that recreatesa combat scenario that the user may have just viewed in a movie. At step310, based on the identified context, the user is presented with arecommendation to engage with the created interactive multimedia gamethat matches the video program context, over a second GUI screen. Insome embodiments, the second GUI screen is overlaid on the first GUIscreen either in part or in whole, such that the user is able to viewthe second GUI screen concurrently with the video program. In someembodiments, the recommendation is configured as an advertisement that,if activated by the user (such as by clicking a ‘play’ button of theadvertisement), allows the user to play the online interactivemultimedia game. In embodiments, examples of the interactive multimediagames include, and are not limited to, a puzzle, mini-video game,time-bound video game (that is, a video game that must be played and wonwithin the constraints of a predetermined time), board game, multiplayeronline game, first person shooter game, arcade game, action andadventure game, casino game, card game, strategy game, shooting game,sport game, and simulation.

The user may opt to engage with the recommended game by clicking theoption to accept the recommendation. If the user decides to accept therecommendation then the user clicks on a ‘play’ button on the second GUIscreen, so that, at step 312, the acceptance is received by the webserver 105. In response, at step 314, the user is connected to the gameserver 110 to enable the user to play the online interactive multimediagame over the second GUI screen. In embodiments, the online interactivemultimedia game is presented to the user within an interactive interfaceon the user's client device 120. As discussed earlier in thisspecification, the online interactive multimedia game may be rendered inany one of first, second or third interactive interface formats, whereinin the first format the game may be presented in an interface embeddedwithin the GUI screen, wherein in the second format the game ispresented as a multimedia playback using a media player native orresiding on the client device 120 and wherein in the third format anexecutable program file is downloaded on the client device 120 whichwhen activated presents an interface of a client-side gamingapplication. In some embodiments, the interactive multimedia game is amini-game that can be played within a stipulated predetermined timeframe.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process forimplementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of a videoprogram being viewed, in accordance with yet other embodiments of thepresent specification. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 4 ,according to aspects of the present specification, at step 402, a useraccesses (via the network 125) a video program broadcast/streaming bysystem 135, and hosted and managed by the web server 105. In someembodiments, the user is a registered member and hence uniquelyidentifiable by way of a login ID. In embodiments, the web server 105tracks the user's activities using the user's login ID and/or the IP(Internet Protocol) address of the client device 120 that the user usesto connect to the web server 105. In some embodiments, the video programmay be accessed through a software application residing on a user'sdevice, for example, an application running on a user's personalcomputer, mobile phone, or video game console.

At step 404, as a result of the user's request to view the videoprogram, the video program is presented to the user on a first GUIscreen. At step 406, the user is identified and the video program viewedby the user is analyzed by the analysis module 144. A context of thevideo program being viewed is identified, as previously described. Insome embodiments, the context is identified from information about thevideo program. For example, in a sports program the context may beidentified from information such as, and not limited to, who is playing,score, score/lead change, players currently in game, which players justperformed an action, and any other event in the video program. Inanother example, the user may be watching NBA finals between the Lakersand Celtics. In this example, the context may be basketball game. Insubsequent steps, the user can play a basketball videogame during theNBA finals broadcasts. If a particular player or team gets a block, thengamers using that player or team might get a boost to the blocking statfor a predefined period of time. In some embodiments, an interactivemultimedia game of a similar context is matched from the game database130. In some other embodiments, the context is communicated to the gameserver 110 and is used to create a game of a matching context. At step408, based on the identified context, the user is presented with arecommendation to engage with the interactive multimedia game thatmatches the video program context, over a second GUI screen. In someembodiments, the second GUI screen is overlaid on the first GUI screeneither in part or in whole, such that the user is able to view thesecond GUI screen concurrently with the program, even though the gameand video program are in separate media channels. In some embodiments,the recommendation is configured as an advertisement that, if activatedby the user (such as by clicking a ‘play’ button of the advertisement),allows the user to play the online interactive multimedia game. Inembodiments, examples of the interactive multimedia games include, andare not limited to, a puzzle, mini-video game, time-bound video game(that is, a video game that must be played and won within theconstraints of a predetermined time), board game, multiplayer onlinegame, first person shooter game, arcade game, action and adventure game,casino game, card game, strategy game, shooting game, sport game, andsimulation.

The user may opt to engage with the recommended game by clicking theoption to accept the recommendation. If the user decides to accept therecommendation then, the user clicks on a ‘play’ button on the secondGUI screen, so that at step 410 the acceptance is received by the webserver 105. In response, at step 412, the user is connected to the gameserver 110 to enable the user to play the online interactive multimediagame over the second GUI screen. In embodiments, the online interactivemultimedia game is presented to the user within an interactive interfaceon the user's client device 120. The video program is continuallyanalyzed for evolving contexts or presence of events through, forexample, a semantic monitoring of a social network feed. If one or moreevents occur in the video program, then at step 414, they are used tomodify the corresponding interactive multimedia game that the user mayalready be engaged with concurrently with the video program beingviewed. In embodiments, the modification module 116 modifies instancesof the interactive multimedia game rendered to the user in real time,based on real time events occurring in the video program being viewed bythe user and identified by the analysis module 144. The modificationmodule 116 may respond to the event, by providing additional content forthe ongoing interactive multimedia game. For example, the modificationmodule 116 provides power for the user's players if the user is playingas Spain in a soccer videogame and watching Spain on a live soccer matchpresented on the client device 120 when they score a goal in the livematch. In another example, the modification module 116 provides anin-game effect in the user's FPS game when the user's local FPS teamwins a match in an e-sports stream that the user is watching.

As discussed earlier in this specification, the video game may berendered in any one of first, second or third interactive interfaceformats, wherein in the first format the game may be presented in aninterface embedded within the GUI screen, wherein in the second formatthe game is presented as a multimedia playback using a media playernative or residing on the client device 120 and wherein in the thirdformat an executable program file is downloaded on the client device 120which when activated presents an interface of a client-side gamingapplication. In some embodiments, the video game is a mini-game that canbe played within a stipulated predetermined time frame.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process forimplementing an interactive multimedia game in the context of a videoprogram being broadcast, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent specification. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 5 ,according to aspects of the present specification, at step 502, a videoprogram broadcast/streaming by system 135, and hosted and managed by theweb server 105, is analyzed to determine its context and one or moreevents that may occur in the video program. In some embodiments, thecontext may include information such as the geography of the videoprogram, who is playing, score, score/lead change, players currently ingame. Additionally, the one or more events may correspond to informationsuch as and not limited to actions performed within the program, if theprogram is a sport then which players just performed an action, and anyother event in the video program. The video program may or may not beviewed by the user during its broadcast.

In some embodiments, the user is a registered member and hence uniquelyidentifiable by way of a login ID. In embodiments, the web server 105tracks the user's activities using the user's login ID and/or the IP(Internet Protocol) address of the client device 120 that the user usesto connect to the web server 105 and/or game server 110.

At step 504, the video program is matched with a game being played bythe user on a first GUI screen, where the game has a similar context.For example, if the user is playing a basketball game using interactivemultimedia means, then the video program containing a basketball matchis matched with the user's game.

At step 506, based on the identified context, the user is presented witha recommendation to engage with an interactive multimedia game thatmatches the video program context, over a second GUI screen. In someembodiments, the recommendation is to engage in an interactive gamecorresponding to the one or more events that occur in the video program.In some embodiments, the second GUI screen is overlaid on the first GUIscreen either in part or in whole, such that the user is able to viewthe second GUI screen concurrently with the video program, but via aseparate media channel. In some embodiments, the recommendation isconfigured as an advertisement that, if activated by the user (such asby clicking a ‘play’ button of the advertisement), allows the user toplay the online interactive multimedia game. In embodiments, examples ofthe interactive multimedia games correspond to events occurring in thebroadcast video program, including and not limited to, a puzzle,mini-video game, time-bound video game (that is, a video game that mustbe played and won within the constraints of a predetermined time), boardgame, multiplayer online game, first person shooter game, arcade game,action and adventure game, casino game, card game, strategy game,shooting game, sport game, and simulation.

At step 508, the user may opt to engage with the recommended game byclicking the option to accept the recommendation. If the user decides toaccept the recommendation then, the user clicks on a ‘play’ button onthe second GUI screen, so that the acceptance is received by the webserver 105. In response, at step 510, the user is connected to the gameserver 110 to enable the user to play the online interactive multimediagame over the second GUI screen. In embodiments, the online interactivemultimedia game is presented to the user within an interactive interfaceon the user's client device 120. As discussed earlier in thisspecification, the online interactive multimedia game may be rendered inany one of first, second or third interactive interface formats, whereinin the first format the game may be presented in an interface embeddedwithin the GUI screen, wherein in the second format the game ispresented as a multimedia playback using a media player native orresiding on the client device 120 and wherein in the third format anexecutable program file is downloaded on the client device 120 whichwhen activated presents an interface of a client-side gamingapplication. In some embodiments, the interactive multimedia game is amini-game that can be played within a stipulated predetermined timeframe.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) 600 that includesa first screen 602 and a second screen 604, in accordance with thevarious embodiments of the present specification. First screen 602displays to a user a video program, a broadcast, or a streamed video tothe user on the user's client device. Second screen 604 is generated inresponse to an analysis of the content viewed by the user through firstscreen 602. In different embodiments, described in context of FIGS. 1through 5 , second screen 604 displays a recommendation to the user toengage with a game, or encourages the user to engage with a game thatthe user may have already been playing. In some embodiments, the secondscreen 604 is overlaid on the first GUI screen 602 either in part or inwhole, such that the user is able to view the second screen 604concurrently with the video program, but via a separate media channel.In some embodiments, the recommendation is configured as anadvertisement that, if activated by the user (such as by clicking a‘play’ button 606 of the advertisement), allows the user to play theonline interactive multimedia game. In embodiments, examples of theinteractive multimedia games include and are not limited to, a puzzle,mini-video game, time-bound video game (that is, a video game that mustbe played and won within the constraints of a predetermined time), boardgame, multiplayer online game, first person shooter game, arcade game,action and adventure game, casino game, card game, strategy game,shooting game, sport game, and simulation.

The user may opt to engage with the recommended game by clicking theoption to accept the recommendation. If the user decides to accept therecommendation then, the user clicks on a ‘play’ button 606 on thesecond screen 604. In response, the user is enabled to play the onlineinteractive multimedia game on second screen 604. In embodiments, theonline interactive multimedia game is presented to the user within aninteractive interface on the user's client device. As discussed earlierin this specification, the online interactive multimedia game may berendered in any one of first, second or third interactive interfaceformats, wherein in the first format the game may be presented in aninterface embedded within the screen 604, wherein in the second formatthe game is presented as a multimedia playback using a media playernative or residing on the client device and wherein in the third formatan executable program file is downloaded on the client device which whenactivated presents an interface of a client-side gaming application.

The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications ofthe methods and systems of present specification. Although only a fewembodiments of the present invention have been described herein, itshould be understood that the present invention might be embodied inmany other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A computer implemented method for modifying an interactivemultimedia video game being displayed during a presentation of a videoprogram, wherein the video program is delivered to a user through afirst media channel and viewed through a first interface, wherein thefirst media channel is defined by a first application layer, a firstpresentation layer, and a first session layer, wherein the interactivemultimedia video game is displayed via a second media channel, whereinthe second media channel is defined by a second application layer, asecond presentation layer, and a second session layer, and wherein atleast one of the first application layer differs from the secondapplication layer, the first presentation layer differs from the secondpresentation layer, or the first session layer differs from the secondsession layer, the method being implemented in a host computer havingone or more physical processors programmed with computer programinstruction that, when executed by the one or more physical processors,cause the host computer to perform the method, the method comprising:using the host computer, delivering, through the second media channel,the interactive multimedia video game; while the interactive multimediavideo game is being delivered and the video program is being displayed,analyzing the video program to identify one or more events; and usingthe host computer, modifying instances of the interactive multimediavideo game based on the identified one or more events.
 2. The computerimplemented method of claim 1, further comprising, while the interactivemultimedia video game is being delivered and the video program is beingdisplayed, analyzing a social network feed associated with the videoprogram and modifying said instance of the interactive multimedia videogame based on the analysis.
 3. The computer implemented method of claim1, wherein the video program is a live sporting match, the one or moreevents is a score, and the interactive multimedia video is modified bychanging an attribute of a player in the video game.
 4. The computerimplemented method of claim 1, wherein the attribute is power.
 5. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video program is ane-sports match, the one or more events is a win for a team in thee-sports match, and the interactive multimedia video is modified bygenerating an in-game effect.
 6. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more events are occurring in real-time andgame effect and the interactive multimedia video is modified inreal-time.
 7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein theinteractive multimedia video game is configured as at least one of adownloadable executable that, if activated by the user, allows the userto engage with the interactive multimedia video game or a scriptedadvertisement that, if activated by the user, allows the user to engagewith the interactive multimedia video game.
 8. The computer implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the interactive multimedia video game must beplayed within a stipulated predetermined time frame.
 9. The computerimplemented method of claim 1, further comprising causing theinteractive multimedia video game to be displayed in a graphical userinterface on a same display presenting the video program.
 10. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising causing thegraphical user interface to be overlaid on a portion of the display suchthat the video program remains visible.
 11. A non-transient computerreadable medium comprising a plurality of programmatic instructions formodifying an interactive multimedia video game being displayed during apresentation of a video program, wherein the video program is deliveredto a user through a first media channel and viewed through a firstinterface, wherein the first media channel is defined by a firstapplication layer, a first presentation layer, and a first sessionlayer, wherein the interactive multimedia video game is displayed via asecond media channel, wherein the second media channel is defined by asecond application layer, a second presentation layer, and a secondsession layer, and wherein at least one of the first application layerdiffers from the second application layer, the first presentation layerdiffers from the second presentation layer, or the first session layerdiffers from the second session layer, the non-transient computerreadable medium being stored in a host computer having one or morephysical processors programmed configured to execute the plurality ofprogrammatic instructions, wherein, when executed, the plurality ofprogrammatic instructions: deliver, using the host computer, through thesecond media channel, the interactive multimedia video game; analyze thevideo program to identify one or more events while the interactivemultimedia video game is being delivered and the video program is beingdisplayed; and modify, using the host computer, instances of theinteractive multimedia video game based on the identified one or moreevents.
 12. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11,wherein, when executed, the plurality of programmatic instructions,while the interactive multimedia video game is being delivered and thevideo program is being displayed, analyzes a social network feedassociated with the video program and modifies said instance of theinteractive multimedia video game based on the analysis.
 13. Thenon-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the videoprogram is a live sporting match, the one or more events is a score, andthe interactive multimedia video is modified by changing an attribute ofa player in the video game.
 14. The non-transient computer readablemedium of claim 11, wherein the attribute is power.
 15. Thenon-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the videoprogram is an e-sports match, the one or more events is a win for a teamin the e-sports match, and the interactive multimedia video is modifiedby generating an in-game effect.
 16. The non-transient computer readablemedium of claim 11, wherein the one or more events are occurring inreal-time and game effect and the interactive multimedia video ismodified in real-time.
 17. The non-transient computer readable medium ofclaim 11, wherein the interactive multimedia video game is configured asat least one of a downloadable executable that, if activated by theuser, allows the user to engage with the interactive multimedia videogame or a scripted advertisement that, if activated by the user, allowsthe user to engage with the interactive multimedia video game.
 18. Thenon-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein theinteractive multimedia video game must be played within a stipulatedpredetermined time frame.
 19. The non-transient computer readable mediumof claim 11, wherein, when executed, the plurality of programmaticinstructions causes the interactive multimedia video game to bedisplayed in a graphical user interface on a same display presenting thevideo program.
 20. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim19, wherein, when executed, the plurality of programmatic instructionscauses the graphical user interface to be overlaid on a portion of thedisplay such that the video program remains visible.